April 5: Unified Middleweight World Champion Janibek Alimkhanuly To Defend WBO & IBF World Titles Against Anauel Ngamissengue in Historic Kazakhstan Homecoming LIVE on ESPN+
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 06 Feb 2025
World championship action and a loaded undercard will take place at Barys Arena in Astana
ASTANA, Kazakhstan (Feb. 4, 2025) – WBO and IBF middleweight world champion Janibek Alimkhanuly is set to make history in his homeland as he becomes the first Kazakh unified champion to defend his titles on home soil. Alimkhanuly will take on unbeaten Congolese challenger Anauel Ngamissengue on Saturday, April 5, at Barys Arena in Astana.
Promoted by Nomad Promotions, in association with Top Rank, Janibek-Ngamissengue and undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.
“Janibek is a supreme talent and the very best middleweight in the world,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “He has tremendous support in Kazakhstan, and we are pleased that he’ll have the opportunity to defend his world titles in front of his adoring home fans. Anauel is a tough opponent, but Janibek is in a class of his own.”
“This is everything fight fans dream of. Two undefeated fighters, two world titles on the line, and one historic night,” said Scott Murray of Nomad Promotions. “Organizing this historic night has been a labor of love for our team. We are committed to developing the sport of boxing in Kazakhstan, and there’s no better way to do that than by hosting a world title fight featuring our very own Janibek Alimkhanuly. This is just the beginning of our journey, and we are honored to be part of this milestone. It is going to be a great, historic moment for both the sport and the country and the first of many events we bring to Kazakhstan.”
Janibek (16-0, 11 KOs), a 2016 Olympian, steamrolled his way to the top of the middleweight division. He mowed down former world champions Rob Brant and Hassan N’Dam in 2021, stopping both in the eighth, before flattening Danny Dignum in two for the WBO interim title the following year. When Demetrius Andrade vacated that title, Janibek took over as full champion and demolished IBF titleholder Vincenzo Gualtieri in six to unify the belts in October 2023. His latest defense saw him break down Andrei Mikhailovich en route to a ninth-round TKO, setting the stage for his first bout in Kazakhstan since his second pro outing in 2017.
Janibek said, “‘Qazaq Style’ is finally coming home. April 5 will be a memorable night as I defend my WBO and IBF world titles against a top opponent. Many fighters turned down this opportunity, so I credit Anauel for accepting the challenge. My goal is to become the undisputed champion, and Anauel in my way. The fans in Kazakhstan and everyone watching worldwide will see something special.”
Ngamissengue (14-0, 9 KOs) represented his native country at the 2016 Olympics, falling to Ilyas Abbadi in the opening round, one win away from a meeting with Janibek. He turned pro in 2019 and built his resume in France. The 29-year-old notched his most significant victory in August 2023, edging past Fiodor Czerkaszyn via eight-round majority decision in Wroclaw, Poland. Last June, he stopped Sandro Jajanidze in three. Now ranked No. 7 by the IBF, Ngamissengue finally crosses paths with Janibek, but this time with two world titles on the line.
“Thank you for this long-awaited opportunity. After almost a year of fighting for a chance, this is the most important moment of my career,” Ngamissengue said. “I know I’m going into the lion’s den, but I thrive in situations like this. I respect Janibek and everything he’s achieved, but I’m coming to Kazakhstan to crash the party and show the world that I belong at the top. See you on April 5."
Tickets for "Homecoming" will go on sale Monday, Feb. 10, with exclusive pre-sale access available at www.nomad-promotions.com.
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